Natural gas research, development, and demonstration contractors review meeting

Conference · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:137352

Bajura, R A

The U.S. Department of Energy is sponsoring two major programs to develop high efficiency, natural gas fueled power generation technologies. These programs are the Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) Program and the Fuel Cell Program. While natural gas is gaining acceptance in the electric power sector, the improved technology from these programs will make gas an even more attractive fuel, particularly in urban areas where environmental concerns are greatest. Under the auspices of DOE`s Office of Fossil Energy (DOE/FE) and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE/EE), the 8-year ATS Program is developing and will demonstrate advanced gas turbine power systems for both large central power systems and smaller industrial-scale systems. The large-scale systems will have efficiencies significantly greater than 60 percent, while the industrial-scale systems will have efficiencies with at least an equivalent 15 percent increase over the best 1992-vintage technology. The goal is to have the system ready for commercial offering by the year 2000. DOE/FE and DOE/EE also cooperate in the development of fuel cells. DOE/EE is responsible for transportation applications, while DOE/FE supports fuel cell development for stationary electric power. Fuel cell systems in the 100 kilowatt (M) to several megawatt (MW) size range are an attractive technology for power generation because of their ultra-high energy conversion efficiency and extremely low environmental emissions. As modular units for distributed power generation, fuel cells are expected to be particularly beneficial where their by-product heat can be effectively used in cogeneration applications. The first generation of fuel cells for power generation is currently entering the commercial market. Advanced fuel cell power systems fueled with natural gas are expected to be commercially available by the turn of the century. The domestic and international market for this advanced technology is expected to be very large.

• Research Organization: USDOE Morgantown Energy Technology Center, WV (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 137352
• Report Number(s): DOE/METC/C--95/7192; CONF-950494--38; ON: DE96002567; NC: NONE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
COGENERATION
COMBINED-CYCLE POWER PLANTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FUEL CELLS
GAS TURBINES
NATURAL GAS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS